Exeter Development Moves Forward

Exeter City Council have backed plans to build a block of student flats on Longbrook Street.

City planning officers finally gave their approval to the plans, which if delivered, will see time called for Exeter's The King Billy pub.

Plans to demolish the pub were put forward to the council earlier this year, with locals shocked at its proposed demolition.

However, developer Rengen, said the building was "dated" and had been "dwarfed by its surroundings", and had originally proposed to replace it with nine storeys of student accommodation.

Developers were subsequently told to reduce the height of the towers due to their overshadowing nature on the adjacent John Lewis store.

Now, the council's planning department said they are happy with the design, which is split over six and seven storeys and can accommodate 108 students, 20 fewer than the original plans.

A spokesperson for the council's planning department said: "Whilst initial concerns were raised about the height of the buildings and use of the rear service area, these issues have now been satisfactorily resolved and the scheme is considered acceptable.

"The development will generate a Community Infrastructure Levy payment and provide the City Council with a New Homes Bonus amount."